χλευάζω (chleuazō)
chleuazō
to sneer
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb chleuazō describes a sharp, mocking reaction, specifically to sneer or jeer at someone. It conveys a sense of derision that goes beyond simple disagreement, involving a scoffing attitude toward what is perceived as foolish or absurd. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, capturing a specific moment of public ridicule.
This single occurrence in Acts 17:32 illustrates its force clearly. When Paul preached about the resurrection of the dead, some listeners responded by sneering. The sources note that this reaction highlights the clash between Greek philosophical expectations and the early Christian message, as the idea of bodily resurrection seemed like a jest to those present.
The term likely derives from a root related to jesting or mockery, emphasizing the dismissive nature of the response. Translators typically render it as "sneered" or "mocked," preserving the contempt inherent in the original Greek. This usage underscores how difficult it can be for new theological concepts to gain acceptance when they challenge established worldviews.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chleuazō describes a sharp, mocking reaction, specifically to sneer or jeer at someone. It conveys a sense of derision that goes beyond simple disagreement, involving a scoffing attitude toward what is perceived as foolish or absurd. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, capturing a specific moment of public ridicule.
This single occurrence in Acts 17:32 illustrates its force clearly. When Paul preached about the resurrection of the dead, some listeners responded by sneering. The sources note that this reaction highlights the clash between Greek philosophical expectations and the early Christian message, as the idea of bodily resurrection seemed like a jest to those present.
Translators typically render it as "sneered" or "mocked," preserving the contempt inherent in the original Greek. This usage underscores how difficult it can be for new theological concepts to gain acceptance when they challenge established worldviews. It reminds us that faith often meets resistance, not just from ignorance, but from active derision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were mocking [him],1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐχλεύαζον,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:32
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
This verse records the only New Testament use of chleuazō, showing how the concept of bodily resurrection was met with immediate scoffing by some Athenian philosophers.